Grassley: A Tribute to Neal Smith

Prepared Floor Remarks by U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa

A Tribute to Neal Smith

Wednesday, November 3, 2021

 

I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to former Iowa Congressman Neal Smith, who passed away yesterday at age 101.

 

He was a true public servant. 

 

He entered public life for the right reasons and had no interest in self-promotion. 

 

He cared about Iowa and tried to do his best for our state. 

 

Neal Smith was a humble but impressive man. 

 

He was a decorated bomber pilot in World War II. 

 

After attending Drake University Law School with his wife, Bea, and opening a practice with her, he became active in local government.  

 

In 1958, Neal Smith was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served for 36 years.

 

That is longer than any other Iowan has served in that body. 

 

When I was first elected to Congress as the only Republican in the Iowa delegation, Neal Smith was a mentor to me. 

 

I have never forgotten that. 

 

I try to follow his example. 

 

We worked in a bipartisan way on behalf of Iowans, just as it should be.

 

I remember Congressman Smith as a real defender of agriculture, a great Iowan, and a good friend.